Slay says Macy's consolidation not a catastrophe

St. Louis, MO. – St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay says the closure of the Macy's office downtown is a disappointment, but will not have a major impact on the city's economy.

The department store chain announced Wednesday it will eliminate 850 managerial jobs in St. Louis as part of a nationwide cost-cutting effort.

Slay says the move is unfortunate, but its effect will be minor.

It all has to be put in context. These are 850 jobs, Slay said. It is very important, but out of 90,000 in downtown St. Louis, we're not going to be crying woe is me' by any stretch of the imagination.

Slay says the city's training and employment agency will help the laid off workers find other jobs in the region.